STUDENT RESEARCH DAY 2012 Schedule of EventsSTUDENT RESEARCH DAY 2012 PAGE 5 Schedule of Events (continued) 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. STUDENT ART EXHIBIT (BOG) POSTER SESSION (SC2L) April

STUDENT RESEARCH DAY 2012

PAGE 1

Schedule of Events(WAR) Warfi eld Hall, Allen Auditorium (SC1) Science Center Auditorium(SC2L) Science Center Second Floor Front Lobby (BOG) Bogigian Gallery

8:30 to9:15 a.m.

8:30

8:45

9:00

8:30

8:45

9:00

SESSION ONE (WAR)Welcome Address by Professor Larry ShillockModerated by Ashley Overdorff , ‘12

Marsha Decker, ‘12Contextual Infl uence as Evidence of an Integrative Model of Speech Perception

Debra Tibbits, ‘12Trauma and Its Effects on Physical and Cognitive Resilience

Tammy L. C. Clark, ‘12Treatment Seeking Barriers for African Americans

SESSION TWO (SC1)Welcome Address by Dean Mary HendricksonModerated by Chelsea Krebs, ‘13

Ciera Rhodes, ‘12Effects of 17α-ethinyl estradiol on hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) immunity and QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown) Infection

Ashley E. Wetzel, ‘12Home Range Size and Habitat Use of Andean Bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in the Intag Region of Northern Ecuador

Brinita Ricks, ‘12A Comparative Analysis of the Effi ciency of Multi-trials of the Warner and Simmons Randomized Response Techniques


PAGE 2

Schedule of Events (continued)

9:30 to10:15 a.m.

9:30

9:45

10:00

9:30

9:45

10:00

SESSION ONE (WAR)Moderated by Tammy L. C. Clark, ‘12

Ashley Overdorff, ‘12Effects of Ego-Depletion and Resource Beliefs on a Cognitive Task

Destinee Hays, ‘12The Effects of Music on a Simple Multiplication Task

Jenna Jamison Yeager, ‘12The Effects of Sleep Deprivation and Distractibility on Cognitive Performance

SESSION TWO (SC1)Moderated by Janelle Wills, ‘13

Emilee Beidel, ‘12An Application of the Optimal Defense Theory: Analyzing the Defenses of A Marine Sponge, Axinella polycapella, Against Predatory Reef Fish

Laura M. Beck, ‘12A Measure of Electrolyte Containing Sports Drinks: Effects on Physiological Parameters Before, During, and After Exercise

Colleen O’Reilly, ‘12The Infl uence of Barrel Size and Swing on Rider’s Hip and Weight Placement


PAGE 3


10:30 to11:15 a.m.

10:30

10:45

11:00

10:30

10:45

11:00

SESSION ONE (WAR)Moderated by Angella Dagenhart, ‘13

Courtney Wolfe, ‘12Breaking the Mold

Jessica Carnes, ‘12Folly

Christina J. Giacomini, ‘12Past of a Unicorn

SESSION TWO (SC1)Moderated by Connie Goodwin, ‘13

Alyssa Bernard, ‘12Antimicrobial Effects of Essential Oils for the Control of Oral Bacteria in the Prevention of Periodontal Disease in Canines

Briana Doscher, ‘12Effect of High Folic Acid Serum Concentration Through Diet Fortifi cation and Supplementation on the Development of Rats

Chelsea Varner, ‘12Analysis of the Relationship Between Fetal Microchimerism Cells in the Spleen and Liver and the Presence and Severity of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura


PAGE 4


LUNCH RECESS12:15 to1:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m. to12:15 p.m.

11:30

11:50

11:30

11:40

11:50

12:00

SESSION ONE (WAR)Moderated by Brie-Anne Asbury, ‘12

Hayley Glass, ‘12Justice Brennan and Obscenity

Jessica Carpenter, ‘12Making and Breaking Rules: Wilson College Student Government Minutes from 1924-1927

SESSION TWO (SC1)Moderated by Rachael Kinley, ‘13

Lois L. Collingwood, ‘12Connecting Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake Bay

Amanda A. Keggereis, ‘12Dam Removal Stream Assessment

Davidson Mayer, ‘12The Legitimacy of TMDL Under the CWA

Kacie Oberholzer, ‘12A VMT International Internship


PAGE 5


1:00 to2:30 p.m.

STUDENT ART EXHIBIT (BOG)

POSTER SESSION (SC2L)

April C. Davila, ‘13Walter Benjamin’s Theory of an Object: the Same is the Same is the Same

Crystal L. Ellgass, ‘13Van Gogh To Go: Mass Produced Products Brandishing Great Works of Art for Profi t and Portability

Dianna L. Hollada (M.A. Humanities program)The Modern Subaltern: The Occupy Movement as Gramscian Revolution

Emma N. Lewis (M.A. Humanities program)Media Propaganda of Today: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp

Jessie R. Stockwell (Teacher Intern Program)Roland Barthes’ ‘Myths’ and Marcellus Shale Ad Campaigns

Carol A. Zehosky, ‘12Herman and Chomsky’s Filters in the Limbaugh and Fluke News Story

Painting by Lauren Dieffenbach, Class of 2012, from her exhibitReverie.

Lauren Dieffenbach, ‘12Reverie

Laura Harmyk, ‘12To View the World


PAGE 6


POSTER SESSIONScience Center, Second Floor Front Lobby

Monica Lyons, ‘13The Metal Absorption in Ulothrix Zonata from Sediment Contaminated with Acid Mine Drainage

Ovsanna Movsesyan, ‘13Analysis on Concentrations of Estrogen and Testosterone in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis) Treated with a Combination of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acid

Aneshia Knepper, ‘13Familial Grouping of Female Odocoileus virginianus in a Hunted Environment

Rachael Kinley, ‘13An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Neodymium as a Shark Deterrent for Use in the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fishing Industry to Reduce the Bycatch of Atlantic Shark Species

Chelsey Smentkowski, ‘13The Effect of Posilac on the Concentration of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Concentration in Bovine Milk and Serum

Chelsea Krebs, ‘13The Effect of Semen Extenders on the Viability of Equine Spermatozoa

Kelly Hughes Antonucci, ‘13Effect of Two Extraction Methods on Antibacterial Properties of Essential Oils Derived from Salvia offi cinalis and Corchorus olitorius

1:00 to2:30 p.m.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7


PAGE 7


8

9

10

11

POSTER SESSIONScience Center, Second Floor Front Lobby

Brianna Smith, ‘13The Effects of Antibiotics Versus Homeopathic Remedies on the Bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the Causal Agent of Lyme Disease

Connie Goodwin, ‘13Antimicrobial Activity of L-Amino Acid Oxidase from Different Snake Venoms

Kayla Croft, ‘13The Effi cacy of Vitamin K Supplementation when Administered with and without Recombinant Factor IX on the Treatment of Hemophilia B in a Mouse Model

Shyanne Stouffer, ‘13Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Therapy in the Post-Neonatal Murine Model with Methylmalonic Acidemia

Emilee Beidel, ‘12, presenting her research fi ndings at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.


PAGE 8


2:30 to3:15 p.m.

2:30

2:50

2:30

2:45

3:00

3:30 to4:30 p.m.

3:30

3:50

4:10

SESSION ONE (WAR)Moderated by Amanda Stup

Laura Harmyk, ‘12To View the World

Lauren Dieffenbach, ‘12Reverie

SESSION TWO (SC1)Moderated by Professor Laura F. Altfeld

Alicia Mills, ‘12Menhaden: The Most Important Fish in the Sea?

Tina Brown, ‘12Residual Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

Katherine Riep, ‘12Improving the Conococheague Creek at Wilson College: A Plan to Encourage Self-Sustaining Brook Trout Populations

HONORS SESSION (SC1)Moderated by Professor Laura F. Altfeld

Sierra A. Schnable, ‘12Exploring the Role of Women’s Colleges in Shaping Feminist Consciousness

Lori Fedorczyk, ‘12Social Reorganization in Female Mice and Its Impact on Hippocampal Function

Tonya J. Bender, ‘12Characterization of Algae Bio-oil Produced by Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis: A Study of the Potential for Algae Bio-oil as an Alternative Fuel Source


PAGE 9


4:45 to5:15 p.m.

DISERT SCHOLAR PRESENTATION (SC1)Moderated by Professor Robert K. Dickson

Alyssa Hockenberry, ‘12Short Circuit: The Art of Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg

5:15 to6:00 p.m.

DISERT SCHOLAR RECEPTIONScience Center, First Floor Front Lobby

6:00 to7:00 p.m.

ACADEMIC AWARDS CEREMONYScience Center Auditorium

NY

From left, Wilson students Tonya Bender, Ashley Wetzel, Ciera Rhodes, Emilee Beidel, Briana Doscher, Chelsea Varner, Alyssa Bernard, Laura Beck and Lori Fedorczyk. All presented their research at the 2012 Annual Meeting of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science.

PAGE 10

THIRD ANNUAL

Student Research Day

Cele

brat

ing S

cholarly and Creative Activity

APRIL 27, 2012


PAGE 11

Fine Arts

ALYSSA HOCKENBERRYSenior, Class of 2012Fine Arts (Art History)Robert K. Dickson, Philip Lindsey and Lisa Woolley

DISERT SCHOLAR

Short Circuit: Th e Art of Jasper Johns and Robert Rauschenberg

Robert Rauschenberg and Jasper Johns supported each other’s art during the time that they were in an intimate relationship in the 1950s and early 1960s. For years there has been a verbal debate over the artistic exchange between Johns and Rauschenberg during their time together. The modernist supporters of Johns discredit the effects of the relationship for fear that the infl uence will diminish perceptions of Johns’ originality. The post-modernist supporters of Rauschenberg maintain the effects are undeniable. It is here that I will bridge this chasm and maintain that Johns and Rauschenberg had a signifi cant artistic exchange while creating original works of art. This will be proven through the examination and analysis of the subtle and fundamental elements of their pieces during their involvement and the identifi cation of the overlaps and exchanges. Through a close examination and analysis of works it is clear that Rauschenberg’s use of white numbers infl uenced Johns’ use of white numbers and John’s use of plaster casts of body parts infl uenced Rauschenberg’s use of taxidermy. Johns also began a long-term discussion on the idea of paradox in art, which Rauschenberg responded to, which caused Johns to respond to Rauschenberg. The infl uence did not stop when the relationship ended as we can see a lasting infl uence in both artists’ works.


PAGE 12

Biology

LAURA M. BECKSenior, Class of 2012BiologyBrad E. Engle and M. Dana Harriger

A Measure of Electrolyte Containing Sports Drinks: Eff ects on Physiological Parameters Before, During, and After Exercise

Electrolyte-containing sports drinks replace electrolytes and fl uids which are lost during exercise through perspiration. Studies indicate that their consumption decreases dehydration and maximizes aerobic performance during a period of exercise due to electrolyte content. The increased hydration levels result in decreased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate. This study measured the effects of sports drinks on these physiological parameters before, during, and after intense exercise. Five Wilson College student-athletes and faculty were enrolled in this study and were required to consume a specifi ed amount of drink, normalized for each participant, during each exercise session. Hydration, heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration rate were measured before, during, and after exercise at each session. Three different drinks were consumed: water and two formulations of Gatorade, G2Pro which contains high electrolyte amounts and G2 which contains lower electrolyte levels. It is expected that the highest electrolyte content will be the most effective in maintaining hydration and have the most positive impact on the physiological parameters. Results of this study will be analyzed using a MANOVA and will help us better understand the impact that electrolytes have on physiological parameters during exercise.


PAGE 13

Biology

EMILEE BEIDELSenior, Class of 2012Biology & BusinessLaura F. Altfeld and Deborah S. Austin

An Application of the Optimal Defense Th eory: Analyzing the Defenses of A Marine Sponge, Axinella polycapella, Against Predatory Reef Fish

Sponges are one of the earliest multicellular organisms still in exis-tence. Although lacking specialized systems, nerves, and musculature, sponges are highly adaptive to harsh ecological variables present within their natural environments. Ecological threats such as competition, predation, and biofouling are especially prevalent in Caribbean coral reef communities where sponge populations thrive. As is common with many marine invertebrates, sponges lack obvious mechanisms of pro-tection and therefore may employ species-specifi c physical or chemi-cal defenses. Spicules, a sponge structural component, are a proposed source of physical defense. Additionally sponges may also implement chemical defenses in the form of secondary metabolites. The purpose of this research is to fi rst determine the primary defense implemented by the branching sponge Axinella polycapella. The optimal defense theory, stating that organisms allocate defenses to best promote individual fi tness, will then be applied to explicate the intra-specimen variation of defense distribution within the sponge. Feeding assays with Holacanthus tricolor and Thalassoma bifasciatum will be conducted to determine the effi cacy of each defense against natural predators. Chemical deterrence is the hypothesized primary means of defense. In accordance with the optimal defense theory, the secondary metabolites are expected to be most concentrated in the branch tips of Axinella polycapella.


PAGE 14

Chemistry

TONYA J. BENDERSenior, Class of 2012ChemistryCatherine T. Santai and Deborah S. Austin

HONORS in the MajorCharacterization of Algae Bio-oil Produced by Microwave-Assisted Pyrolysis: A Study of the Potential for Algae Bio-oil as an Alternative Fuel Source

Algae are a fast growing, renewable, and sustainable source of biomass feedstock. Algae biomass can be converted into bio-oil through a process known as microwave-assisted pyrolysis (MAP), a type of thermolysis requiring temperatures between 500-700oC in the absence of oxygen. Algae-derived bio-oils have been shown to have comparable physical properties of petroleum diesel, including density, viscosity, and higher heating value (HHV). During this research algae biomass collected from mono and mixed cultures were each subjected to MAP, in which different algae-derived bio-oils were produced. Two mono cultures included the species Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus, and two mixed cultures included a fi lamentous green algae mixture and a green microalgae mixture. The algae-derived bio-oils were characterized in terms of density, viscosity, and higher heating value (HHV). HHV is a measure of the heat of combustion determined using bomb calorimetry. Physical properties of algae-derived bio-oils are compared with those of biodiesel prepared by the Department of Environmental Studies at Wilson College and with commercial grade diesel. The results from this study provide support for the use of algae biomass as an alternative fuel source.


PAGE 15

Chemistry

CONNIE GOODWINJuniorChemistryCatherine T. Santai, M. Dana Harriger and Brad G. Stiles

Antimicrobial Activity of L-Amino Acid Oxidase from Diff erent Snake Venoms

Recent evidence suggests that L-Amino acid Oxidase (LAO) is a key enzyme responsible for the antimicrobial properties of some biological fl uids where it catalyzes the deamination of L-Amino acids producing antimicrobial byproducts. It has been found in natural fl uids such as lactated milk originating from mammary glands, epidermal mucus secreted by some fi sh species and signifi cant quantities can also be found in nearly all snake venoms. The LAO originating from snake venom is an increasing area of biochemical research. This research will focus on the isolation and purifi cation of LAO from different snake venoms and the effi cacy of purifi ed LAO as an antimicrobial agent. The concentration of LAO which can be purifi ed from the venom of selected Viperdae (common name) and Elapidae (common name) snake species will be compared. The purifi ed LAO enzyme will then be tested for potency as a topical antimicrobial agent against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtillis, Escherichia Coli and Salmonella typhimurium bacteria strains that are pathogenic to humans. A comparison of LAO purifi ed from wild and captive venomous snakes within a species will also be performed. This study will help to determine if there is a trend towards impotency as measured by lower concentration of LAO in venom of captive versus wild snakes and the possible use of LAO derived from snake venoms as antimicrobial agents.


PAGE 16

Biology

ALYSSA J. BERNARDSenior, Class of 2012BiologyM. Dana Harriger and Brad G. Stiles

Antimicrobial Eff ects of Essential Oils for the Control of Oral Bacteria in the Prevention of Periodontal Disease in Canines

Periodontal disease affects any breed of dog, and if left untreated, can result in life-threatening complications. This disease is initiated by aerobic bacteria in the canine mouth that grow just beneath the gumline. These bacteria remove oxygen from this niche, enabling the subsequent growth of anaerobic bacteria that can become very tissue destructive. There are four stages associated with periodontal disease, but the fi rst stage, gingivitis, is reversible. Essential oils from anise seed, myrrh, spearmint, and clove bud possess antimicrobial properties against aerobic bacteria. This study investigated essential oil-based inhibition of problem causing bacteria. The Kirby-Bauer Disc Diffusion Assay was used to test each oil at various dilutions for inhibition of aerobic bacterial growth using pure cultures of Escherichia coli, Neisseria canis and Staphylococcus epidermidis, as well as mixed cultures from whippet gingival/tooth samples. Data were analyzed using a Two Way ANOVA, which compared the dilution of each oil with the diameter of inhibition. Results demonstrated that clove bud oil was the most effective, even at the lowest concentration, while myrrh oil was the least effective. Results of this study suggest that essential oils might be an effective alternative against aerobic bacteria accumulation in the mouth leading to periodontal disease.


PAGE 17

Biology

BRIANA DOSCHERSenior, Class of 2012Biology M. Dana Harriger, Brad E. Engle and Catherine T. Santai

Eff ect of High Folic Acid Serum Concentration Th rough Diet Fortifi cation and Supplementation on the Development of Rats

Supplementation and fortifi cation with folic acid (vitamin B9) before conception decreases incidence of neurological birth defects. U.S. grains are fortifi ed with folic acid. Surveys indicate 5% of the population consumes folic acid above upper intake levels (1000μg). However, effects of high serum levels of folic acid through fortifi ed diets or supplementation on development is not widely known. Studies have shown that high concentrations of folic acid in the diet can cause developmental defects. This study investigated if in utero exposure to high concentrations of folic acid through diet and supplementation contributes to developmental and cardiac anomalies. Female SAS-SD rats were bred and maintained on their prescribed diet regimen throughout the pregnancy. Dams received folic acid at varying concentrations for six weeks prior to and throughout pregnancy. The control group received a normal 3mg/kg, supplemented group 20mg/kg via oral gavage, fortifi ed diet group 20mg/kg, and the combination which received both for 40mg/kg. Dams were mated and the pups were analyzed at 9-11 days post-partum. Hearts were digitized and a comparative morphometric analysis where wall thickness of ventricles, septum, and aorta were measured. Results of this study may be indicative of abnormalities associated with fortifi cation of folic acid in diets during pregnancy.


PAGE 18

Biology

LORI FEDORCZYKSecond Major, Class of 2012BiologyBrad E. Engle, M. Dana Harriger and Carl F. Larson

HONORS in the MajorSocial Reorganization in Female Mice and Its Impact on Hippocampal Function

Social reorganization with male mice has produced toxic effects after exposure to an infl uenza virus. Studies to elucidate the mechanism have focused on immunological effects, leaving out the potential neurological impact from repeated activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Corticosteroids released during the stress response have a signifi cant impact on the hippocampus, a region of the brain noted for learning and memory. The current study focused on the neurological impact of social disruption in the murine model, C57BL/6J. Groups of female mice were reorganized every other day over three different time frames (1, 2, or 4 weeks). Physiological parameters, hippocampal function (Morris Water Maze), and social behavior (ethogram and grooming) were assessed in comparison to mice left in their home cage. Preliminary data suggest impaired hippocampal function and altered social behavior among socially disrupted groups. Plasma corticosterone levels (ELISA) and hippocampal glucocorticoid receptor concentrations (immunohistofl uorescence) are also being evaluated. Extension of the primary research used enrichment activities to examine the possibility of reversing adverse effects over a four week period. Results are expected to contribute to the body of research on the negative impact of social reorganization and potentially suggest a method for mitigating those effects.


PAGE 19

Biology

CIERA RHODESSenior, Class of 2012BiologyLaura F. Altfeld, Brad E. Engle and Bassem Allam

Eff ects of 17α-ethinyl estradiol on hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) immunity and QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown) Infection

Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX) is a protistan parasite of hard clams, M. mercenaria, and has caused signifi cant mortality of wild and cultured clams in northeastern United States. The QPX organism does not typically cause disease until there is an extreme environ-mental stress that reduces the ability of clams to fi ght infection. This study was designed to investigate the effects of synthetic estrogen, 17α-ethynyl estradiol, on QPX-induced immune responses in M. mercenaria. Clams were separated into 4 groups: control, estrogen (125 ng/L), QPX (New York strain, 8BC7), and estrogen/ QPX, and were maintained at 18°C for 2 months. QPX- specifi c cell- mediated and humoral defense parameters were assessed after 1 and 2 months. Measured parameters included total and differential hemocyte counts (fl ow cytometry), reactive oxygen species (ROS) production (NBT colorimetric assay), phagocytosis activity (fl uorescent bead assay), and lysozyme activity and protein concentration in plasma (spectrophotometric assay; BCA protein assay). Preliminary results demonstrated a decrease in immune function, with the estrogen/QPX group showing the greatest decrease in granulocytes. Phagocytosis, ROS, and lysozome activity and protein concentration are currently being analyzed. Decreases in all immune parameters are expected demonstrating the immune-suppressive activities of synthetic estrogen and QPX parasitism.


PAGE 20

Biology

CHELSEA VARNERSenior, Class of 2012BiologyBrad E. Engle, Catherine T. Santai and Michael J. Doenhoff

Analysis of the Relationship Between Fetal Microchimerism Cells in the Spleen and Liver and the Presence and Severity of Idiopathic Th rombocytopenic Purpura

Cells from the fetus that cross over the placenta during pregnancy and remain within the mother’s body are known as Fetal Microchimerism cells (FMc). Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an autoim-mune disease which destroys platelets in the body, often occurs in the presence of Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis (HT). Since previous research has shown a correlation between FMc and HT, this study investigated a potential link between ITP and FMc in maternal mice. Breeding colo-nies were established by crossing Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP) possessing males with normal C57BL/6 females. The females were then allowed time for gestation and weaning of their pups. Using a rabbit anti-mouse platelet antiserum (RAMPS), the females were induced for thrombocytopenia to mimic ITP for 7 days in one group and 14 days in another. The females were then sacrifi ced and spleens removed. The organ was digested and the splenocytes visual-ized using a fl uorescence microscope. Preliminary results have shown that the ratio of FMc cells to splenocytes is greater in those induced for thrombocytopenia. These fi ndings indicate a relationship between the degree of platelet destruction and FMc cell concentration in maternal mice; therefore suggesting that FMc cells may play a role in ITP devel-opment.


PAGE 21

Biology

ASHLEY E. WETZELSenior, Class of 2012BiologyLaura F. Altfeld, Deborah S. Austin and Céleste F. Barthel

Home Range Size and Habitat Use of Andean Bears (Tremarctos ornatus) in the Intag Region of Northern Ecuador

The Andean bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is one of many large mammals threatened by habitat loss and human confl ict. In Northern Ecuador and throughout their geographic range, populations are becoming fragmented due to agricultural growth. Based on habitat loss and bear-human confl ict, Andean bear populations are expected to diminish by approximately 30% in the next 30 years. To prevent further popu-lation declines, ecological research is necessary. In the Intag Region of Northern Ecuador, six adult Andean bears have been captured and fi tted with radio collars. While interning with the Andean Bear Founda-tion, bear locations were tracked by taking bearings from designated listening stations. Using ArcGIS mapping software, bear locations were determined by triangulation and habitat use was analyzed. Home range sizes were estimated using the Local Convex Hull Method for Utiliza-tion Distribution by means of GIS. Starting from the perimeters of each home range, percentages of every type of available habitat were calculated by means of ArcGIS. Using home range maps created using GIS, home range overlap with human developed areas and road ways will be analyzed, in order to better understand bear-human confl ict. Based on previous studies and a rise in bear-cattle confl ict, an increase in human-bear overlap is expected.


PAGE 22

Biology

KELLYSUE HUGHES ANTONUCCIJuniorBiologyCatherine T. Santai and Brad E. Engle

Eff ect of Two Extraction Methods on Antibacterial Properties of Essential Oils Derived from Salvia offi cinalis and Corchorus olitorius

Homeopathic remedies have been used throughout the centuries for many different types of aliments and infections. Today more and more people are using homeopathic remedies instead of prescription drugs. Understanding how these homeopathic remedies work against different types of bacterial infections has become more important. This study seeks to determine if the antibacterial effectiveness of a homeopathic essential oil extracted from a plant depends upon the method of extraction. Two different methods of removing the oil from the plants will be investigated. Microwave-assisted pyrolysis is one methodology to be utilized and involves exposure of plant leaves to high temperatures (400-500*C) in the absence of oxygen to vapor-ize the lipid components and ultimately create a bio-oil. The second methodology will utilize no elevation in temperature, but will include exposure of plant leaves to organic solvent in order to extract the oil. Two different plant species, Corchorus olitorius (jute mallow) and Salvia offi cinalis (common sage) with known antibacterial properties will be tested against two different types of bacteria: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. Two different methods of oil extraction are being tested to determine if the method chosen to extract the essential oil from different plants has any effect on the antibacterial properties the plant may contain.


PAGE 23

Biology

KAYLA CROFTJuniorBiologyBrad E. Engle and Catherine T. Santai

Th e Effi cacy of Vitamin K Supplementation when Administered with and without Recombinant Factor IX on the Treatment of Hemophilia B in a Mouse Model

Hemophilia B is a bleeding disorder that varies in severity in which the blood does not clot normally and is missing or lacking clotting factor IX. Hemophilia B can be treated with human plasma derived factor IX or recombinant factor IX. Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting because it is involved in the biosynthesis of a number of blood coagulation factors, such as clotting factors II (Prothrombin), VII, IX, and X. The primary objective of this research is to determine whether vitamin K supplementation has any therapeutic value for hemophilia B patients when administered with and without recombinant factor IX. Hemophilia B mice with a range of mutations in the factor IX gene, comparable to the type of mutations that cause hemophilia B in the human population, will be used in this study. There will be fi ve treat-ment groups of hemophilia B mice: 2 control groups, 1 group of mice treated with just recombinant factor IX, 1 group treated with just vitamin K supplement, and 1 group treated with both. Over a course of six weeks at the end of one week, a blood sample would be taken and then tested for their blood clotting time. After the six weeks, the blooding clotting time should decrease when given vitamin k supple-mentation with or without recombinant factor IX.


PAGE 24

Biology

RACHAEL KINLEYJuniorBiology & Environmental StudiesLaura F. Altfeld and Edward Wells

An Analysis of the Eff ectiveness of Neodymium as a Shark Deterrent for Use in the Atlantic Pelagic Longline Fishing Industry to Reduce the Bycatch of Atlantic Shark Species

Shark populations are rapidly declining as large numbers are caught as incidental bycatch and experience high mortality rates after release. Finding ways to reduce shark bycatch in the pelagic longline fi shing industry has, therefore, become a conservation priority. Toward that effort, electropositive metals have been shown to deter sharks from fi shing gear because of the interaction between the electropositive charges released when these metals oxidize in seawater and the sensitive electroreception of the shark. The highly sensitive electro-receptive structures, ampullae of Lorenzini, can easily detect the electrical current given off by electropositive metals reacting in seawater. The goals of this experiment are to quantify the electrical current output of neodymium, an electropositive metal, submerged in artifi cial seawater and then compare the observed values to known values of maximum current detection previously observed in a variety of shark species. The deterrent ability of neodymium on wild shark species will also be tested in the fi eld using fi shing trials, where baited lines with and without a neodymium metal plate will be cast into the water and catch frequencies compared. The results of this study may promote further research to determine other electropositive metals that can be used as successful shark deterrents and whether further research into the possible success of Neodymium in the pelagic longline fi shing industry on a larger scale is worthwhile.


PAGE 25

Biology

ANESHIA KNEPPERJuniorBiologyLaura F. Altfeld and Deborah S. Austin

Familial Grouping of Female Odocoileus virginianus in a Hunted Environment

This research will be evaluating mitochondrial DNA of Odocoileus virginianus, or white-tailed deer to examine the relatedness of females in a hunted area. This is relevant because it is important to the population that female white-tailed deer form familial groups to prevent females from dispersing, ensuring reproduction in the area, and ensuring the overall health of the population. Feces will be collected from a highly hunted area, a natural game preserve, and a human controlled deer farm in order to compare the DNA extracted from the scat to the different populations. This study will be useful in game management and evaluating genetic health in the population.


PAGE 26

Biology

CHELSEA KREBSJuniorBiologyM. Dana Harriger, Deborah S. Austin and Sharon Hanna

Th e Eff ect of Semen Extenders on the Viability of Equine Spermatozoa

Semen extenders are liquid diluents that are added to semen following collection to preserve the fertilizing ability of the sperm. Extenders maintain the normal physiology of the sperm cell and are a source of energy for the sperm, a source of protection against bacteria, and also a source of protection against damage to the sperm cell. With the use of extenders, semen can be shipped from the location of the male to the location of the female species. Since the use of artifi cial insemina-tion (AI) is becoming more and more popular in the equine realm, the stallion and mare never have to be in the same proximity because the semen can be shipped. This process instead of natural insemination prevents any injuries from happening to either the stallion or mare and it also prevents inbreeding. The purpose of this experimental study is to determine how INRA 96, E-Z Mixin’ CST, Equipro, and AndroMed-E equine extenders affect the viability of equine sperm over a period of 48 hours. The study will simulate the shipping process; sperm and extender samples will be placed in a thermal cooler with an ice pack to maintain the temperature at 5oC. Following this experimental study, equine breeders, veterinarians, and owners will have a better knowl-edge of which extender maintains the greatest extent or degree of viability of the sperm cell.


PAGE 27

Biology

MONICA LYONSJuniorBiologyBrad E. Engle and Deborah S. Austin

Th e Metal Absorption in Ulothrix Zonata from Sediment Contaminated with Acid Mine Drainage

Acid mine drainage is an environmental quality issue for many states including Pennsylvania. There are several ways to remove the acid mine drainage from the streams; however, it can be quite expensive. Research shows that adding algae to streams can help to reduce the amount of acid mine drainage and aid in remediation of the contami-nated water and sediments. There have been studies to determine how much metal algae can absorb from the water in the streams, but there have not been any studies done to determine how much metal is absorbed from the sediment. Ulothrix zonata will be used to determine the amount of metal that can be absorbed from sediment contaminated with acid mine drainage. Ulothrix will be exposed to fi ve conditions, in triplicate. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer will be used to determine the amount of zinc, iron, manganese, and aluminum absorbed by the algae. The results should show that the metal in the sediment will have a signifi cant rate on absorption from in the Ulothrix. That the water may not be contaminated, but the Ulothrix will still be able to absorb metal from the stream.


PAGE 28

Biology

OVSANNA MOVSESYANJuniorBiologyM. Dana Harriger and Laura F. Altfeld

Analysis on Concentrations of Estrogen and Testosterone in African Clawed Frogs (Xenopus laevis) Treated with a Combination of Trihalomethanes and Haloacetic Acid

Water is life’s most basic need — life on Earth depends on water. It is highly important to drink and use clean water. Water disinfection is an important process since it chemically deactivates growth and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms that could cause serious waterborne diseases such as cholera, thyroid fever, Hepatitis A or E etc. (Percival, 2004). The most widely used process for water dis-infection treatment in the US is chlorination. The main advantage of using chlorine as a disinfectant is that after treatment, the water can contain chlorine residuals, which helps to protect the quality of drink-ing water throughout the distribution system. Chlorination is also cost-effective. The maximum allowable level of chlorine in drinking water is 4.0mg/L. Having high levels of Cl2 in the treatment process could lead to potential eye and nose irritations (SDWA, 2009). The problem with chlorination is the production of DBPs (Disinfection by-products). Trihalomethanes (THMs) and Haloacetic acids (HAA5) are groups of DBPs that can be possible endocrine disruptor chemicals (EDC) (Brin-baum, Fenton, 2003). In many cases, large quantities of EDCs target the steroid nuclear receptor family of transcription factors, and mimic natural receptor ligands (Norris, James, 2006). There are many studies related to endocrine disruptors and their kinetic reactions during water disinfection treatments. This study mainly focuses on the effects of chloroform and iodoform (HAA) on the concentrations of estradiol (E2) and testosterone in African clawed frogs (Xenopus laevis).


PAGE 29

Biology

CHELSEY SMENTKOWSKIJuniorBiologyM. Dana Harriger and Deborah S. Austin

Th e Eff ect of Posilac on the Concentration of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 (IGF-1) Concentration in Bovine Milk and Serum

Posilac, a growth hormone used to increase milk yield in dairy cattle, has been suspected of causing harm to humans who consume dairy products produced by affected cattle. Posilac has recently been linked to both colon and breast cancer in humans. Posilac, also known as recombinant bovine somatotropin, will be administered to measure its infl uence on the levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-1) in serum and milk of lactating dairy cattle. Cattle from two types of productive dairy farms, organic and commercial, will be utilized in this study. Four experimental commercial cattle will receive a 500 mg subcutaneous injection every two weeks for a six week period. Eight control cattle, organic and commercial, will not receive an injection. Blood and milk samples will be collected one week after injection, throughout the test period, and analyzed for IGF-1 levels. It is expected that Posilac treated cattle will produce elevated levels of IGF-1. This would dem-onstrate that non-treated cattle, either commercial or organic, would produce lower concentrations of IGF-1, making their product safer to humans who choose to consume them.


PAGE 30

Biology

BRIANNA SMITHJuniorBiologyLaura F. Altfeld and Edward Wells

Th e Eff ects of Antibiotics Versus Homeopathic Remedies on the Bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, the Causal Agent of Lyme Disease

Lyme disease is major health concern in the U.S. The disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, a pathogenic gram-negative spirochete vectored by ticks and which forms a biofi lm that is diffi cult to eliminate with antibiotics. Medical researchers have long studied the effects of antibiotics on bacterial growth. However, given concerns about the negative side-effects of antibiotic use, attention is now being paid to how homeopathic remedies may also be effective. The homeopathic remedies under consideration include the use of Samento, Banderol, and Sarsaparilla. This experiment is designed to compare the effectiveness of Doxycycline, Zithromax, and amoxicillin with Samento, Banderol, and Sarsaparilla at limiting B. burgdorferi growth using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion assays. If homeopathic remedies can be found to effectively inhibit bacterial growth, they may represent a less harmful treatment of Lyme disease.


PAGE 31

Biology

SHYANNE STOUFFERJuniorBiologyBrad E. Engle and Catherine T. Santai

Adeno-Associated Viral Gene Th erapy in the Post-Neonatal Murine Model with Methylmalonic Acidemia

Methylmalonic acidemia is a genetic condition caused by defi cient activity of the mitochondrial enzyme methylmalonyl-CoA mutase[1-4]. Methylmalonic acidemia is associated with a lethal metabolic uncer-tainty and carries a poor scenario for long-term survival. A mouse model of methylmalonic acidemia, that replicates the most severe phenotype will be used to determine the effi ciency of the recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV8) gene therapy[1, 3-5]. Lifespan, body-weight, heart rate, respiration rate, circulating metabolites, as well as neutrophil and platelet counts will be examined as outcome param-eters after the use of gene therapy and/or dietary modifi cation[1, 3]. This research is an extension of previous research which used adeno-associated viral gene therapy on neonatal mice.


PAGE 32

English

JESSICA CARNESSenior, Class of 2012English (Creative Writing)Michael G. Cornelius

Folly

I wrote Folly to experiment with a multi-genre piece of prose, poetry, and drama. The prose follows a troubled woman, Lana, 25 years old. Lana believes her mother bullied her into making a decision against Lana’s best interests two years ago. Lana punishes herself for the act by guzzling alcohol and engaging in a sadistic relationship with a crazy ex-marine. She feels a cosmic reckoning awaits her. The prose repre-sents the fi ction/nonfi ction of this work. Lana rifl es with a deep self-loathing that literally begs to kill her.

The next genre I integrated into Folly, poetry, suits the characters of Fruitlezz and Mona. If diagnosed, Fruitlezz and Mona’s illness would be classifi ed as a Folie á deux, or “Shared Psychotic Disorder.” Fruitlezz has been diagnosed with schizophrenia characterized by delusions of grandeur and tactile hallucinations. Mona, a simpleton not pre-disposed to mental illness, has followed Fruitlezz since the day the two met. From her, Mona has acquired tactile hallucinations. Fruitlezz and Mona speak in forms of poetry, though their life and conversations occur within the confi nes of dramatic stage rendering. Mona, due to her simplicity, speaks in Cinquain, Troilet, Mono-rhyme, and a bit of free verse. Fruitlezz, since her IQ is higher, uses free verse, because she has access to a wider range of words.

The two stories intersect in a literal moment, a connection both ethe-real and down to earth as Lana follows the couple around town while Fruitlezz is very near to giving birth.


PAGE 33

English

CHRISTINA J. GIACOMINISenior, Class of 2012English (Creative Writing) & Equine/Equestrian ManagementMichael G. Cornelius

Past of a Unicorn

A fantasy novella—designed as the fi rst part of a larger sequence—Past of a Unicorn tells the story of a young girl, named Lucy, who is unhappy with her life as an orphan and wants to see the wider world outside the only home she’s ever known. She decides to run away in search of adventure and to discover the truth about her missing parents. As she is wandering the forest, she meets a talking, winged lion named Magnar. Magnar tells her of a school where she can learn the skills she will need to survive on her own, and Lucy jumps at the chance to go. Everything seems as if it will work out perfectly until, on their way to the strong-hold, they are attacked by vicious creatures named mactors. Lucy and Magnar eventually reach the school, where Lucy discovers that her life’s adventures have only just begun.


PAGE 34

English

COURTNEY WOLFESenior, Class of 2012English (Creative Writing)Michael G. Cornelius

Breaking the Mold

Breaking the Mold is a collection of four short stories that examines the role of women in society. Spaced forty years apart, beginning in 1912 and ending in 2012, each short story focuses on one woman and the decisions she is confronted with in order to gain agency and control of her life. Each story is situated within the socio-historical context of the period in which it is set, showing how women are affected by a continually evolving society. They are impacted by the suffrage movements, the sociological ramifi cations of the Second World War, the liberality and freedom of the seventies, and the precarious and polarizing climate of today. The central characters of each story are not heroines, and not intended to be interpreted as thus. Some of the decisions they make are diffi cult to reconcile, especially in their given socio-historical context. They are all fi ctitious, but the decisions they encounter, and the events of their time period are historically accurate. Each woman is confronted with answering, for herself, what it means to be a woman and to defi ne herself as such. Each is seeking their own identity, and their own voice; a quest on which women still embark on today.


PAGE 35

EnglishEquine Studies

COLLEEN O’REILLYSenior, Class of 2012Equine StudiesAnn O’Shallie

Th e Infl uence of Barrel Size and Swing on Rider’s Hip and Weight Placement

Riding at a competitive level requires more than technical knowledge. The rider’s conformation and balance affect the horse’s movement and at the same time, the horse’s conformation and movement affect the rider’s balance and symmetry. The results of this case study advocate the need for research to predict the ability of a horse and rider to complement each other. To focus the study, six riders of varying body types were videotaped seated on seven different horses. Frame-by-frame stills of each horse and rider in each phase of the stride were taken; common physical landmarks were diagrammed; and, measurements taken and converted to a common unit. The diagramming showed a correlation between: barrel size and swing infl uencing rider’s hip rotation and ability to shift weight; the horse’s carrying capacity and stride length infl uenced by rider weight and height; and, barrel size and swing affecting rider leg placement. The initial fi ndings of this study strongly suggest correlations that can be used in horse/rider pairings, rider position faults, and the horse’s balance. To provide defi nitive suggestions, it would be necessary to expand the study to include a larger population of horses and riders.


PAGE 36

Environmental Sustainability

TINA BROWNSenior, Class of 2012Environmental SustainabilityEdward Wells

Residual Pharmaceuticals in Drinking Water

Residual pharmaceuticals can be found in our drinking water. Pharmaceutical residuals are excreted from the human body. These residuals remain in our treated drinking water due to the inability for them to be fi ltered out at the treatment plant. The problem with this is that, many pharmaceuticals disrupt normal bodily functions such as, the human endocrine system. The human endocrine system is made up of glands, which release hormones, when the body sends signals to do so. A disruption of the hormonal balance in one’s body can create many imbalances in one’s body. Many of these pharmaceuticals are mimickers of hormones. This means that the residual pharmaceuticals send false hormonal signals that confuse the body.


PAGE 37


LOIS L. COLLINGWOODSenior, Class of 2012Environmental Sustainability & Elementary EducationEdward Wells

Connecting Pennsylvania to the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States. Much of the water that feeds the bay originates in the state of Pennsylvania. Yet, many Pennsylvanian students do not understand their role in the bay’s health. The goal of this project is to create an introductory unit plan designed to connect Pennsylvanian students to the Chesapeake Bay using Pennsylvania state stan-dards and a variety of teaching methodologies.


PAGE 38


AMANDA A. KEGGEREISSenior, Class of 2012Environmental Sustainability & Business Sustainability and Environmental ManagementEdward Wells

Dam Removal Stream Assessment

The PA Fish and Boat Commission will be removing the last dam on the Conococheague Creek located behind the campus of Wilson College. Removing a dam can be both benefi cial and harmful to the stream’s established habitat. I will analyze both the pros and cons of dam removal as well as why it is important to restore a stream’s natural habitat once the dam is removed. Along with the research I will be presenting data collected from two test sites located on the Conococheague: one located upstream from the dam and the other located downstream from the dam. I will assess the differences between the two monitoring sites by comparing their chemical, biological and physical aspects. I am also collecting this data so we can compare if these aspects have changed once the dam is removed, with the hopes that the downstream location has not been affected by the dam removal.


PAGE 39


ALICIA MILLSSenior, Class of 2012Environmental SustainabilityEdward Wells

Menhaden: Th e Most Important Fish in the Sea?

Menhaden, a small bony fi sh, have been used for many purposes throughout the last century. They have a specifi c role in the food chain and if they disappear, it will be because of lack of education. They have been used for fertilizer, livestock feed, and fi sh oil supplements. It has and is being overharvested largely by one corporation, The Omega Protein. The menhaden population continues to decline and the loss has a large effect on other species and the health of the bay. This research presents how menhaden are critically important to the ecosystem of the Chesapeake Bay and the impacts humans are having on this species. A research study was done on the general population with regards to their knowledge on menhaden and the roles they play that impact menhaden’s population. Findings from the research will be presented. Learning about how humans impact a species is critically important to the health of the bay and our environment. Informing the public about the menhaden population is an important factor to improving the health of the bay.


PAGE 40


KATHERINE RIEPSenior, Class of 2012Environmental SustainabilityEdward Wells

Improving the Conococheague Creek at Wilson College: A Plan to Encourage Self-Sustaining Brook Trout Populations

Is our campus creek healthy? I will be examining why our stretch of the Conococheague is not a Class A wild trout inhabitable stream, and if its quality can be improved enough to reach this status. The most important improvement to be made would be a riparian buffer of trees and vegetation lining the creek banks. The shade from these trees keeps the water a constant cool temperature which brook trout need to survive, and the roots hold back pollutants, sediment, and excess water to protect and stabilize the stream. Wilson Col-lege should be a community example of how Pennsylvania needs to do its part to preserve the Chesapeake Bay. We are responsible for the headwaters of the Chesapeake, and we owe it to our downstream neighbors to keep our portion clean. My proposed plan will ideally result in a clean, protected creek that is still accessible to humans and that will support its own population of brook trout to remove the need for stocking with farm raised fi sh.


PAGE 41

Philosophy

DAVIDSON MAYERSenior, Class of 2012PhilosophyEdward Wells

Th e Legitimacy of TMDL Under the CWA

The point of this presentation is to examine the legal basis on which the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDL) actions under the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are justifi ed. This project sets up the legal background on which the EPA is being sued by the American Farm Bureau to determine whether or not the EPA is in violation with the Clean Water Act (CWA) in terms of TMDL in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.


PAGE 42

Fine Art / Studio Art

LAUREN DIEFFENBACHSenior, Class of 2012Studio Art (Painting)Philip Lindsey

Reverie

Through lingering memories and occasional daydreams I have found that my paintings have displayed many moments in life that have left an emotional footprint on canvas. The idea of using soft and bold colors to communicate an emotional narrative is important for me. Finding myself within this collection has allowed me to dig deeper into work-ing with black and white fi gures and fl oral patterns. A connection to Georgia O’Keefe has inspired me to create elaborate blossoms that are in all of my paintings.


PAGE 43

Fine Art / Studio Art

LAURA HARMYKSenior, Class of 2012Studio Art (Photography)Robert K. Dickson

To View the World

Making photographs can separate you from the world but it can also connect you. The camera may block your face but you are able to focus on the subject and get personal with it. These photographs range from close ups of eyes to New York City street scenes and explore what we see as well as how, by what means, we see. The black-and-white nature of the prints reinforces distance while the small scale reinforces intimacy. The images encourage the viewer to step into the photogra-pher’s place and question their own ways of connecting with the world.


PAGE 44

History and Political Science

JESSICA CARPENTERSenior, Class of 2012History and Political Science (History)Kay Ackerman

Making and Breaking Rules: Wilson College Student Government Minutes from 1924-1927

By looking at the minutes of the Wilson College Students’ Self-Govern-ment Association (S.S.G.A.), one can analyze the relationship between students and the college authorities as well as themes of student space, movement and self-control. This presentation is based on edit-ing and transcribing the S. S. G. A. minutes from December 1924 to October 1927, as well as offi cial College publications, and the history of college women and the “new woman” of the 1920’s. Focusing on the infractions of student regulations, I explore issues of college control over the activities of students as well as compare their experience with previous generations’ ideals and the ideal of the “new woman.” The S.S.G.A. minutes of Wilson College in the 1920’s show the control that was desired and expected of young women. These minutes also reveal the social and cultural signifi cance of the changing views and attitudes of women in the 1920’s and the impact this had on the college environ-ment.


PAGE 45

History and Political Science

HAYLEY A. GLASSSenior, Class of 2012Political Science & Equine StudiesJill A. Hummer

Justice Brennan and Obscenity

The Supreme Court determines when a law impinges on the freedoms of the people. Freedom of speech is guaranteed by the First Amend-ment of the Constitution, but there are different categories of speech, and some of those categories are not always protected by the First Amendment. Obscenity is one form of speech that is conditionally protected by the First Amendment, but there is much debate among the justices as to what actually constitutes obscenity because different people have different ideas about what is obscene. Justice Brennan’s legal reasoning surrounding the concept of obscenity evolved during his thirty-six years as a Supreme Court Justice. He went from believing that it should not be protected, to the opinion that it should, possibly, be protected.

Through an analysis of all of the obscenity cases that Justice Brennan heard, I was able to see the shift in Justice Brennan’s opinions and ap-proach to obscenity. From the beginning he was very adamant that it was not a protected form of speech, but when the Supreme Court could not come to a clear consensus about what constituted obscenity, he changed his mind and reasoned that it may be best to protect obscen-ity. Justice Brennan felt that if the Supreme Court could not decide on a defi nition of obscenity, then it was their responsibility to protect the rights of the people and their right to free speech, whatever the form.


PAGE 46

Mathematics

BRINITA RICKSSenior, Class of 2012MathematicsKaren S. Adams

A Comparative Analysis of the Effi ciency of Multi-trials of the Warner and Simmons Randomized Response Techniques

This research reports upon the effi ciency of multi-trial Warner and Simmons’ Randomized Response Techniques (RRT). RRT is used when attempting to solicit direct responses to sensitive questions. In this research, participants were directed to respond to a sensitive question in three ways; the use a single trial of the direct method; and the use of three trials of both the Warner and Simmons’ method. Results indicate that responses obtained using randomizers are better estimates of the actual population and that the multi-trial Simmons’ model was proven to be superior to that of both the direct and the multi-trial Warner method.


PAGE 47

Psychology

TAMMY L. C. CLARKSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyBeverly Ayers-Nachamkin

Treatment Seeking Barriers for African Americans

A number of studies suggest that members of minority/ethnic groups seek mental health treatment far less often than Causation Americans. This study examined two treatment seeking barriers to counseling for African Americans: participants’ racial identity and counselors’ own race and level of cultural sensitivity. I hypothesized that African American participants’ racial identity (as measured by the Cross Racial Identity Scale) would affect their favorability ratings of counselors as a function of counselor race and level of cultural sensitivity. I further hypothesized that African American counselors and counselors high in cultural sensitivity would receive a higher favorability rating than white counselors and counselors low in cultural sensitivity. Results were signifi cant such that African American counselors received a higher favorability rating than white counselors, suggesting that race is a mediating characteristic. There were also signifi cant results suggesting a relationship between participant racial identity and counselor favorability.


PAGE 48

Psychology

MARSHA DECKERSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyCarl F. Larson

Contextual Infl uence as Evidence of an Integrative Model of Speech Perception

To examine the possible interactive processes in speech perception, phonemic restoration (PR) was used to measure the relationship of context to target words heard in masked phrases. Higher incidences of PR would indicate a greater reliance on contextual cues and demonstrate top-down processes. Participants included 10 English speaking females ranging in ages from 19 to 55. Pairs of similar sounding target words were masked by a (125 ms) tone and presented in four conditions, semantically informational phrases (I), semantically misinformational phrases (M), semantically uninformative phrases (U), or informational phrases with semantically non-informational target words (N). A one-way ANOVA for repeated measures revealed that the N condition followed by M condition had the highest incidence of PR. This could indicate a reliance on phrase context when verbal cues are not available and suggest interactive perceptual processes.


PAGE 49

Psychology

DESTINEE HAYSSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyBeverly Ayers-Nachamkin

Th e Eff ects of Music on a Simple Multiplication Task

In a conceptual replication of the “Mozart Effect,” the effect of instrumental music on a simple multiplication task was analyzed in this study. Female undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: silence (no music), arousal (Jazz music), or relaxation (calming music). Participants completed as many prob-lems correctly as possible in a ten minute time period. No signifi cant difference was found in accuracy scores (#correct/#completed). A marginally signifi cant difference was found in the total number of answers completed by participants, which showed that participants in the arousal condition completed more problems than those in the silence condition. However, participants in the silence condition had signifi cantly fewer incorrect answers than participants in the arousal condition. These fi ndings should inspire more research to be conducted on the complex effects of music on performance.


PAGE 50

Psychology

ASHLEY OVERDORFFSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyBeverly Ayers-Nachamkin

Eff ects of Ego-Depletion and Resource Beliefs on a Cognitive Task

The present study investigated whether ego-depletion and resource beliefs affected participants’ cognitive ability to solve moderately diffi cult anagrams. Participants were 44 undergraduate women volunteers who were asked to fi ll out a questionnaire biased for either the limited resource theory (acts of self-control deplete us so that subsequent acts of self-control are harder) or the non-limited resource theory (acts of self-control energize us). They were then either given a depletion task in which they had to cross out letter ‘e’s in a lengthy document under certain complicated stipulations, or a non-depletion task in which they just had to cross out all the letter ‘e’s. Lastly, they were asked to complete an anagram task. Results revealed no signifi cant differences in participants’ ability to correctly solve anagrams as a function of which biased questionnaire they completed or whether they were depleted or not. Implications for ego-depletion theory, as well as the relevance of resource beliefs as a moderator for the effects of ego-depletion, are discussed.


PAGE 51

Psychology

DEB TIBBITSSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyCarl F. Larson

Trauma and Its Eff ects on Physical and Cognitive Resilience

Resilience is the ability to recover from negative events and maintain a positive outlook. It has been demonstrated that one of the ways in which people develop resilience is through early life stressors. Research has shown that people who are resilient handle traumatic situations better than people who are not resilient. As a result, they have less negative mental health issues and exhibit improved cognitive performance. The current study seeks to explore whether there is a relationship between early life stressors and physical resilience in response to emotional stimuli. Female college students and faculty will be asked to view an anxiety-provoking fi lm while their physiological reactions are measured. A cognitive word task administered directly after the fi lm will measure cognitive ability in relation to resilience. Participants will then complete the Trauma History Questionnaire and the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale in order to measure early life stressors and trauma history. A multivariate test is expected to show shorter physiological recovery times and better performance on the cognitive word task for those participants reporting early life stressors in comparison to those participants who do not.


PAGE 52

Psychology

JENNA JAMISON YEAGERSenior, Class of 2012PsychologyBeverly Ayers-Nachamkin

Th e Eff ects of Sleep Deprivation and Distractibility on Cognitive Performance

To test the effects of sleep deprivation and distractibility on cognitive performance, ten female college students were sleep deprived for twenty-four hours. Participants were randomly divided into either a distracting or a non-distracting testing environment condition and were then tested once every eight hours on challenging word-fi nd tasks. The data did not support the hypotheses that there would be a signifi cant decrease in the number of words found on the word-fi nd task or that there would be a signifi cant increase in the number of times the participants turned their heads to look at the distracting stimulus as a function of sleep deprivation and the testing environment. There were no signifi cant differences found on the word-fi nd task between the distracting environment condition and the non-distracting environment condition. Regardless of the testing environ-ment, participants performed signifi cantly better on the word-fi nd task at sixteen hours of sleep deprivation than they did in any other testing session. The implications of the insignifi cant results on the effects of sleep deprivation and distractibility on cognitive performance will be discussed.


PAGE 53

PsychologyMass Communications

April C. Davila, Mass Communications, JuniorWalter Benjamin’s Th eory of an Object: the Same is the Same is the Same

Crystal L. Ellgass, Mass CommunicationsVan Gogh To Go: Mass Produced Products Brandishing Great Works of Art for Profi t and Portability

Dianna L. Hollada, Masters in Humanities ProgramTh e Modern Subaltern: Th e Occupy Movement as Gramscian Revolution

Emma N. Lewis, Masters in Humanities ProgramMedia Propaganda of Today: Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp

Jessie R. Stockwell, Teacher Intern Program (TIP)Roland Barthes’ ‘Myths’ and Marcellus Shale Ad Campaigns

Carol A. Zehosky, Mass Communications, JuniorHerman and Chomsky’s Filters in the Limbaugh and Fluke News Story

Mass Communications: Media & Society

The posters in this session represent research undertaken by students in Media and Society (MCM 304/504) seek to illuminate an issue or event in the mass media through the application and analysis of media theory models. These models include: Antonio Gramsci’s theory on Hegemony, Richard Dyer’s Stereotype Models, Roland Barthes’ Cultural Mythologies, Herman and Chomsky’s News Filters, and Walter Benjamin’s theory on Mechanical Reproduction.


PAGE 54

Sociology

SIERRA A. SCHNABLESenior, Class of 2012SociologyJulie Raulli

HONORS in the MajorExploring the Role of Women’s Colleges in Shaping Feminist Consciousness

In order to explore the role of women’s colleges in developing a feminist consciousness, a qualitative study was performed to assess how same-sex education may link to future achievement, activism and volunteerism, and an awareness of gender inequality. In-depth inter-views were conducted with eight Caucasian female participants that graduated from a small, liberal arts women’s college forty to fi fty years ago; in addition, archival data was consulted to provide a context for the interviews and to triangulate the data. Interview data showed that participants experienced a challenging yet cooperative academic atmosphere, held leadership positions on campus, and bonded with faculty role models during their undergraduate years; after graduation, most also displayed a feminist consciousness, participated actively in community volunteerism, and pursued advanced or professional degrees. The participants reported that the atmosphere at a women’s college was an important infl uence on both their future paths and their worldviews. These fi ndings confi rm the work of Miller-Bernal (1993, 2006) on the benefi ts of same-sex education as well as the research of Reingold and Foust (1998) on group consciousness. This research is especially signifi cant in a society where women’s colleges are quickly disappearing, despite the documented benefi ts of same-sex education for women.


PAGE 55

Veterinary Medical Technology

KACIE OBERHOLZERSenior, Class of 2012Veterinary Medical TechnologyFreya S. Burnett

A VMT International Internship

As a requirement for all Veterinary Medical Technology students, I completed a 240 hour internship. It was my understanding that an internship could take place anywhere in the nation as long as it fulfi lled certain requirements. Always one to push the limits, I researched and developed an international internship through Hart-pury College located in rural Gloucestershire, United Kingdom. Situated about a 2 hour drive outside of London, Hartpury provided a wealth of veterinary experience in the realm of the British Veterinary Association. An educational research facility, I spent 5 weeks in the Equine Therapy Centre (ETC) and one week in the Dairy and Pig Units.

In the ETC, I worked with many sport horses with injuries. The main goal being therapeutics and rehabilitation, the ETC provided plush livery, high-speed treadmill exercise, Aqua-fi t hydrotherapy, Zamar and Electrotherapy, osteopathic manipulation, gait analysis, and much more!

On the dairy unit, I not only milked cows, but helped with many routine procedures such as calvings, artifi cial insemination (AI), pregnancy checks, and hoof-trimming. The pig unit was a world all its own!

Furthermore, I had an amazing opportunity to shadow in the Three Counties Equine Emergency and Referral Hospital. Here I saw everything from digital radiography, scintigraphy, AI, ultrasound, general anesthesia and surgery, endoscopy, IV fl uid administration, and plasma transfers.

The trip was an amazing experience and an opportunity of a lifetime.

Documents

STUDENT RESEARCH DAY 2012 Schedule of EventsSTUDENT RESEARCH DAY 2012 PAGE 5 Schedule of Events (continued) 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. STUDENT ART EXHIBIT (BOG) POSTER SESSION (SC2L) April